Some restaurant closures hit home. Which shuttered doors have left lingering aches in your hearts? We asked our readers, and received plenty of food for thought. Plus, the floor’s always open for you to share more memories.
Mamma Zu
Over the course of 27 years, locals grew attached to this beloved Italian eatery in Oregon Hill. Owner Ed Vasaio served Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, and likely many of our readers before its pandemic shuttering. Thankfully, sister restaurants Edo’s Squid, Dinamo, and 8 1/2 are still around.
You can still find homages to Mamma Zu today, like this shirt sold by Studio Two Three.
Photo by RICtoday
Mojo’s
Reader Kayleigh C. lamented that the VCU students of today and tomorrow “will never know the sweet, salty splendidness” of the tater tot bucket at Mojo’s. The Cary Street restaurant closed in 2020.
Texas-Wisconsin Border Cafe
This restaurant was an institution on Main Street for 17 years before it closed in 1999. Take it from @threekeikis on Instagram: “Good times, very innovative in the early days of new restaurants. Potato latkes, yum.”
Grace Place
Reader Stacie V. shared this memory of the downtown vegetarian restaurant:
“I can still taste the chocolate raspberry cheesecake. I had my last meal there the final night they were open, Dec. 31, 1996, and my favorite waitress, Theresa, gave me a menu to keep.”
Remember seeing these signs around Richmond?
Photo by @rvaphotodude via Flikr
Bill’s Barbecue
This local chain of barbecue restaurants closed all of its remaining locations in 2012, leaving Richmonders searching for new spots for limeade and apple pie. The first location opened in the River City in 1930.
Comfort
The southern restaurant on Broad Street was a favorite for many locals during its 17 years in business. Fun fact: Its customers included Drew Barrymore and Molly Ringwald.
Owner Michele Jones is now the Executive Director of the Positive Vibe Foundation, an organization providing pre-employment training and community for young adults with disabilities.
The White Dog
Several readers brought up this Fan eatery, which closed its doors in 2010 after more than 10 years of business. According to Richmond Magazine, owner Barry Pruit named the restaurant in part for his beige terrier mutt Max.
Ipanema Café | The Fan/VCU
This one’s still fresh. After nearly 30 years of establishing itself as a “third space,” particularly for VCU students, Ipanema closed its doors in February 2025.
Reader Terry C. reminisces on their college visits, saying, “It was the best Wednesday night karaoke in town. You just felt like you knew everybody, and the staff was always so friendly. No one was afraid to sing.”
Readers also showed a lot of love for:
Pasta Luna | West Broad, Henrico | ~1994-2009
The Black Sheep | Carver | 2008-2017
3rd Street Diner | The Fan | 1985-2021
Robin Inn | The Fan | 1964-2022
Saison | Jackson Ward | 2012-2022
Heritage | The Fan | 2012-2025
